Samsung’s New Galaxy A36 & A26 Bring Flagship Features to Budget Phones—with 6 Years of Updates!

Samsung has launched the Galaxy A36 5G and A26 5G at MWC 2025, featuring six years of software support, a 6.7-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, and IP67 water resistance. The A36 ($400, March 26) and A26 ($300, March 28) compete with Motorola’s Moto G Power 2025 and Apple’s iPhone 16e ($599).

The A56 5G ($500) is set to launch later this year. The A36 uses Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while the A26 and A56 feature Samsung’s Exynos chips. All models include a 50MP OIS camera, 45W fast charging, and Galaxy AI features like Enhanced Circle to Search. Larger vapor chambers in the A36 and A56 improve heat dissipation. With Apple exiting the sub-$500 market, Samsung’s A-series aims to dominate the budget segment.

Samsung’s New Galaxy A36 & A26 Bring Flagship Features to Budget Phones—with 6 Years of Updates!

Samsung has officially introduced its latest budget-friendly smartphones, the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, at MWC 2025 in Barcelona. These devices serve as the successors to last year’s Galaxy A35 and A25, featuring notable design refinements, enhanced durability, and an extended six years of software support, making them stand out in the affordable smartphone segment.

The Galaxy A36 5G is priced at $400 and will be available for order in the US on March 26, while the Galaxy A26 5G starts at $300 and will be released on March 28. Samsung also teased the Galaxy A56 5G, a more premium budget option priced at $500, expected to launch later in the year. These new models enter a competitive market, challenging rivals like Motorola’s Moto G Power 2025, while offering a more affordable alternative to Apple’s iPhone 16e ($599) and the upcoming Nothing Phone (3a) series, set to debut on March 4.

One of the biggest highlights of this year’s A-series is Samsung’s commitment to long-term software updates, extending support to six years. This means users will receive new Android OS features and security updates for a significantly longer period, a rare offering in this price range. Samsung has also given the A-series a refreshed design, making the devices slimmer and lighter, with a glossy finish and a new camera module layout. In terms of durability, all three phones feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, improving scratch and shatter resistance, and an IP67 water resistance rating, ensuring they can withstand submersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.

The Galaxy A26, A36, and A56 share key features, including a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery, and a triple-camera setup comprising a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an ultrawide lens, and a macro camera. However, camera performance varies slightly across models, with the A36 and A56 featuring a 12MP selfie camera capable of 4K HDR video at 30fps, offering improved color accuracy compared to the A26’s 13MP front camera.

Performance-wise, the A26 5G and A56 5G are powered by Samsung’s Exynos processors—the Exynos 1380 in the A26 and the Exynos 1580 in the A56. Meanwhile, the A36 5G stands out with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a chipset that is expected to deliver performance similar to the Snapdragon 7S Gen 2. To enhance gaming and intensive usage, the A36 and A56 also feature larger vapor chamber cooling systems, similar in size to the Galaxy S24+, helping with heat dissipation during demanding tasks. Additionally, all three models support 45W fast charging, allowing them to reach 70% battery in just 30 minutes.

Samsung has also introduced Galaxy AI features to these budget-friendly devices. Enhanced Circle to Search enables on-screen translation and music identification, similar to Google Lens, while the upgraded Object Eraser allows users to remove unwanted elements from photos, competing with Apple’s “Clean Up” and Google’s “Magic Eraser”.

With Apple moving away from the sub-$500 market, Samsung’s latest Galaxy A-series smartphones present a strong alternative for budget-conscious buyers looking for long-term software support, durability, and modern features. The Galaxy A36 5G and A26 5G will be available in late March, while the A56 5G is expected to arrive later this year.